Welcome to Acceptable Points or Motions!
Come here to learn about the general structure of how things actually work in committee, and which motions or points you should raise to be the delegate you want to be. There will also be information and examples of rules and structures that chairs impose on committee which typically define the direction they want to take committee in.
Points or Motions
This page is dedicated to the different points or motions that there are in MUN. A few were briefly skimmed over and explained in the MUN Blog on the post "Introduction to MUN", but this page is specifically dedicated towards helping you know the rules of procedure to help you succeed in a committee!
Typical Points or Motions
Motion/point |
What You Say |
What You Don't Say (and Why) |
When You Say It |
Vote Needed |
What it Does |
Moderated Caucus |
"I motion for a _____ minute moderated caucus (total amount of time) with a _____ minute/speaking (individual speaking time) time on the topic of ______ (specific topic to be discussed). |
"I motion for a 1 minute moderated caucus with a 1 minute speaking time on the topic of jelly beans" (This moderated caucus is off-topic and gives only one person the opportunity to speak - you) |
When the chair asks for points or motions |
Majority |
Places the committee in a moderated caucus where the chair calls on delegates. Whoever motioned speaks first, or gets to chose when they speak. |
Unmoderated Caucus |
"I motion for a _____ minute unmoderated caucus (total amount of time)" |
"I motion for a 2 minute unmoderated caucus" (An unmoderated caucus is intended to be longer to promote more discussion between people) |
When the chair asks for points or motions |
Majority |
Delegates are free to walk around and confer for the given amount of time. |
Open the Speakers List |
“I motion to open the speakers list” |
"I motion to table the speakers list" (This is just rude, especially if there are people still on the list and want to speak, will make you enemies) |
At the beginning of committee, after debate has opened. |
None |
You are placed first on the speakers list, the chair calls on others to form the list. Introductions are said. |
Open Debate |
“I motion to open debate” |
"I motion to close debate" (don't say this unless the chair asks for it, as everyone wants to continue to have debate) |
At the beginning of a committee. |
Majority |
Debate opens, the agenda is set. |
Set the topic/agenda |
“I motion to set the agenda as ______ (one of the topics)” |
"I motion to set the agenda as the chair's suit" (Off topic, agenda should only be set to the official committee topics) |
After debate has been opened/when you want to change topics. |
Majority |
The topic is set. Usually 2 speakers for and against are called. |
Ask a question to the chair |
“Point of inquiry” |
"Point of inquiry: what is the best restaurant in the area?" (off topic, the point of inquiry should be related to the debate) |
When chair asks for points or motions |
None |
Allows you to ask the chair a question regarding rules or procedure. |
Call out another delegate for breaking the rules |
“Point of order” |
"Point of order: he is not wearing a blazer (points of order relating to someone's clothing are often seen as petty and interrupt debate) |
Any time |
None |
Careful! Only use when a delegate clearly breaks the rules |
Move into voting bloc |
“I motion to move into voting block” |
Do not say this right after a resolution is presented; normally, delegates will want a moderated caucus to debate the proposed solution more |
When chair asks for points/motions and when all resolutions are done. |
Majority |
Allows you to begin voting on resolutions. |
To change something so you will be more comfortable |
“Point of personal privilege” |
"Point of personal privilege: the delegate's voice is annoying" (Although this might make you more comfortable, it is rude, unhelpful to the flow of debate and the chair can do nothing about it) |
When chair asks for points/motions |
None |
Ask the chair to lower the temperature, close the door, etc. |
Not so well known points or motions
Motion/Point |
What You Say |
What You Don't Say (and Why) |
When You Say It |
Vote Needed |
What it Does |
Make everyone listen to you in an unmoderated caucus. |
“Voluntary order!” |
"Voluntary order: I am now the leader of this bloc" (This is an obvious move to gain leadership, and will always backfire. Instead, use this to bring attention to critical issues like presenters) |
During unmoderated caucus. |
The consent of your peers. |
Most delegates will stop and listen to you because they don’t know any better. |
Make it very difficult for an opposing resolution to pass. |
“I motion to deem this resolution a special question.” |
Do not do this to any normal resolution; it should only be used for special circumstances where a resolution is controversial. |
When moving into voting block. |
Majority and chairs consent |
Makes it so the resolution has to have a 2/3 majority instead of a simple majority to pass. |
Divide the question |
“I move to divide the question” |
Don't do this to normal resolutions; instead, use it if a controversial clause is preventing the resolution from passing |
When voting on resolutions or important motions |
The chairs consent and majority |
Allows you to vote on the resolution one clause at a time. Be careful! |
Make the chair reconsider his decision |
“I appeal the chairs decision” |
"I appeal the chairs decision to decline the extension to the unmoderated caucus" (The chair probably has a reason to deny more unmoderated caucus time, for reasons like more debate) |
After the chair makes a questionable call |
Majority and the chair’s consent. |
May cause the chair to reconsider its decision. |
Rights of reply |
“Right of reply!” |
"Right of reply: he disagreed with my country's policies" (policy differences are fairly common in MUN, and this isn't an attack on you personally) |
After another delegate insults you or your country personally. |
The chairs consent |
May get the other delegate in trouble, allows you to reply to personal attacks. |
Roll Call Vote |
“I motion for roll call voting” |
Do not motion for roll call voting on a resolution or motion that was passed/defeated overwhelmingly, since you will already have a general sense of everyone's vote. |
When voting on resolutions or important motions |
Majority |
Changes voting from people raising placards to a roll call vote |